South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 31 October 1863, page 2


THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR

Sir-Several mistakes occur in the early history of the Baptists here, as detailed in Mr. Hannay's address, reported in to-day's paper. When Mr. McLaren came from Kangaroo Island there was

no small body holding similar views to his own existing in Adelaide. He used to meet, with a brother and his wife, for reading and prayer in the afternoon of the Lord's Day in the brother's own hut, and when Mr. Stow arrived, in October 1837 he attended his ministry for some months, preach-ing sometimes for the Wesleyans. The first strict Baptist Church was formed in the cottage of Mr. Finlayson, in Rundle-street, four of the number then united protesting against the strict Baptist principles. Mr. McLaren acted as pastor, but steadily refused to be recognised as such. Mr. John Peacock did not go to Victoria, but got a situation as clerk in Mr. John Russell's store, in Rundle-street. Mr. Finlayson never did (as stated) occupy the pulpit. The communion question did not in the remotest degree lead to the formation of the Church now meeting in Zion Chapel. The early history of the Baptists in the colony is not faithfully recorded in this ad-dress, which needs to be revised before being pub-lished. By inserting the above in your valuable journal you will oblige, Your, &c. ONE OF THE FIRST. October 29, 1863. [The writer has enclosed us his name.— Ed. ]